LOBAMBA – For many preachers, there is only one place for people who engage in bugwadla (habitual sexual misconduct) and kuphinga – hell.
In a stirring and theologically provocative funeral service that drew throngs of mourners to the Bethany homestead of the late Apostle Jeremiah Dlamini, a prominent church leader delivered a message that challenged conventional religious teachings on sin and salvation.
The funeral, held at Apostle Dlamini’s homestead at Bethany, under Lobamba Lomdzala, saw hundreds of grief-stricken faithful gather before dawn to pay their final respects to the man of God who died on July 10, 2026, after a brief illness.
The late apostle was laid to rest just after 7am yesterday, following a service that commenced in the early hours of the morning. The homestead of his first wife, LaShongwe, was transformed into a sea of mourners who had travelled from across Eswatini to bid farewell to the controversial yet beloved spiritual leader. Among those present was the apostle’s second wife, Nolwazi Kunene, who sat quietly among the congregation as speaker after speaker reflected on Dlamini’s complex legacy.
Taking the podium during the emotionally charged service, Apostle PP Zikalala delivered the headline-grabbing message that would come to define the funeral proceedings. Zikalala, who leads The Prophetic Voice For All Nations Ministries, began his address with high energy, drawing enthusiastic ‘Amens’ from mourners after every sentence.
This changed, however, when he insinuated that infidelity or ‘bugwadla’ would not lead one to hell.
For a few seconds, silence fell over the congregation.
Zikalala declared emphatically to the assembled mourners that bugwadla or kuphinga would not get a person to hell.
Zikalala expounded on his theological position by distinguishing between sin as a conscious decision and unbelief as the root of all spiritual failure.
“There is only one sin that takes you to hell,” he explained. “Sin is a decision that one believes that God does not exist. Adam chose not to do what he was created for. Instead, he said bugwadla, kuphinga or the worshipping of other gods are only fruits of disbelief.
The apostle urged the church to move beyond being superficial, calling for authentic faith that transcends moral performance.
“The church should stop having believers who do not believe. This worshipping without believing should end. Believe the prophets and you shall prosper,” Zikalala said.
Drawing from the book of Matthew, specifically chapter 1 verses 21 and 23, Zikalala emphasised that everything written in the Bible ultimately points to Jesus Christ.
He compared various biblical figures including Samson, Solomon, and David, explaining that each serves as a symbol pointing towards the ultimate revelation of Christ.
“Every person on earth is like Adam, created in the image of God,” Zikalala continued.
However, he said after man sinned, God sent Jesus Christ.
He said in Jesus, there is no failure. Zikalala said everybody has sinned and lost the glory of God, but that Christ is the saviour from sin.
Zikalala also gave Samson as an example that many people avoid using as a reference, opting instead for Solomon or David.
He said Samson died after being betrayed by a woman, but remained like Christ even until his death.
